Andy Kim's Christmas gift to Regent Park kids

When Andy Kim was a kid he picked up a guitar, learned two chords and went on to record some the most-ever-played songs on radio.

He wonders who else out there could achieve their dreams by having proper access to music?

"Every musician I have ever met has a story of their introduction to music," the veteran rocker said this week. "Whether it's learning an instrument or deciding to have a career in music, a kid can never go wrong by being around music."

Sponsored by Sentry Investments, CP24, and Long & McQuade, every year Andy holds a Christmas fundraising concert and this year he's decided to once again pour all the funds from the sixth annual Andy Kim Christmas Show Wednesday at the Mod Club at 722 College St. into the students at the Regent Park School of Music.

"Spend any time around these kids and it's like a ray of sunshine," said Kim. "They are so talented and so committed."

It's no wonder Roger Waters used the school's choir to help him perform songs from The Wall.

You can see the choir for yourself at this show - and a lot of other great Canadian talent who have agreed to chip in. For $25 you can see up close and personal performances from Alex Lifeson, Ron Sexsmith, Platinum Blonde, Kevin Hearn of Barenaked Ladies, Tom Cochrane, Divine Brown, Luke Doucet, Kevin Drew & Brendan Canning of Broken Social Scene, Serena Ryder, Gowan, Jully Black and Raine Maida.

"I can't wait," said Kim, who is a fan of all of the people performing.

He'll also take the stage and perform his smash hits including Rock Me Gently and Sugar Sugar which helped him sell 30 million records in a 35-year career.

But it's today's kids in Regent Park he's focused on.

"You'll meet some of them at the show," said Andy. "They really are great musicians."

Maybe one day some of them will be the next music sensations.

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Speaking of great local musicians, congrats to the MusiKrew band whose absolutely awesome Caribbean, Reggae and Soca and rock stylings won the Ontario Public Service Battle of the bands charity competition. Musically and vocally Andrew Will, Cheryl Pascal, Kelvin Samuel, Keith Athanas, Carl Rajack, Mandy Woods, Andy Foster with special guest Victor Rodrigues are stars waiting to be discovered. Remember, I said it.

Another band I feel that way about is Silhouette, who I often see play at Cusina Lounge on Wilson at Bathurst. Lead singer Rienne Sambas has some serious blues and rock pipes with some traditional Filipino numbers thrown into by talented band members Dale Tecson, Rey Mapeso, Noel Mapeso and Chris Villaluz.

You don't have to spend much to see great live music in this town.

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They will lay to rest CITY-TV great Mark Dailey Saturday at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church 1585 Yonge St. at 1 p.m. It's hard to imagine Toronto TV without him. He was a very special guy - one of the best reporters ever but even a better human being.

"He was a great reporter and a great friend," Chief Bill Blair, who is scheduled to eulogize Dailey, told me this week. "Our friendship goes back to when I was a constable and he was a rookie reporter. We played baseball together and were great friends and I feel his loss very personally."

As I told the chief, Mark was the kind of journalist every one of us aspire to be. You will not be forgotten.

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If you thought Don Cherry's pink attire was over the top at City Hall this week, just imagine what he'll look like in 3D?

You'll know Saturday night and he and Ron MacLean will do the Coach's Corner segment in the special format, sponsored by Panasonic Canada and brought to you by CBC.

Of course, that will be after the first period.

By then, you the fans, will have had the opportunity to watch Hockey Night in Canada's first-ever game broadcast in 3D.

If you have a special TV that is.

If a Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leaf game on a Saturday night was not enough. This will be making history. MacLean said the special technology really enhances the overall product of broadcasting the very fast game of hockey.

"I am sure this is the way it's going to be in the future," said Cherry. "You watch the action in and around the net and it's almost like being out there on the ice."